The Environment Consideration of Computer Hardware and OH+S Considerations in the Use of Computer Equipment

Old Hardware May Contain Dangerous Elements

Used computer hardware or monitors are a source of some useful elements like copper and lead: but other harmful substances reside in your old hardware that, improperly discarded, pose serious problems for environmental and human health. Some of the worst parts of discarded computer hardware include:

* Mercury in flourescent tubes

* Cadmium and other potential toxins in laptop batteries and energy sources

* Lead in circuitry

In addition to these known dangers, it's important to point out that there are also more subtle elements in computer hardware that could be getting into our environment and even our bodies! Conflicts like this one reported in U.S.A. Today show that some are concerned about plastics in consumer devices that can get into our bodies in traceable amounts that can build up over time. Issues like these add to the need for responsible use of old hardware and appliances.

SETTING UP YOUR WORKSTATION

With the increasing availability of computers within the work place it is important for all members of staff to be aware of their working environment and how best to set it up. The following guide provides general advice for users of screen-based equipment.

The information is designed to assist the majority of users without pre-existing back, neck or shoulder problems.

This Guide should be used in conjunction with the Workstation Checklist. The purpose of this checklist is to provide the tool for members of staff to undertake an initial assessment of the set up of their workstation to help assist in achieving and maintaining good ergonomic work practices.

If after having carried out the self-assessment you have a concern regarding your workstation or you are not comfortable carrying out a self-assessment then a request for a formal work station assessment may be made to the Occupational Health and Safety Consultant via your manager.

This Guide includes information contained in the Victorian Workcover Authority(VWA) publication Officewise - A guide to health and safety in the office.

YOUR WORKSTATION - THE CHAIR
SEAT: Height: Raise/lower the seat to enable the desk height to be at your elbow height. If you are a "touch typist", you may sit slightly higher. Adjust chair height so the feet are comfortably flat on the floor, the thighs are approximately horizontal and the lower legs approximately vertical. Tilt (if available) Set to horizontal initially, although you may wish to adjust the tilt slightly forward to suit your comfort.
BACK REST: Height: Move the backrest to locate the lumbar support to the curve of your lower back. Lock the backrest into place. Angle: Use your body weight to lean back against the backrest. Depress the control lever to enable the back rest to change the angle. Frequent posture changes encourages blood flow to different muscle groups which helps minimize back fatigue when sitting for prolonged periods.
ARM RESTS: Armrests are usually not recommended unless they are well out of the way of the desk. However, if your chair has arm rests make sure that they do not prevent you from getting as close to the desk as you require or that they impinge on your elbows while you are working FOOT RESTS: Use a foot rest if you feel pressure under your thighs from the front edge of your seat. A foot rest is also useful to address lower back fatigue when sitting for long periods. Pushing your feet into the foot rest helps to push your back into the angled back rest of the chair.

YOUR WORKSTATION - THE DESK
POSITION ON THE DESK Place the keyboard as close to the front edge of the desk as is comfortable. Do not place documents between the keyboard and the front edge of the desk, as this increases the reach distance to the keyboard and may result in excessive bending of the neck to look at the documents. Where possible, layout should be reorganised to bring frequently used objects closer to the user
POSITION OF YOUR MOUSE AND KEYBOARD Both these items are used frequently and should be located on the desk in the primary reach area. Keyboards: Touch typist should locate the keyboard close to the desk edge. Non touch typists should locate the keyboard around 10 cm in from the desk edge. This enables Desk space to rest the hands when not typing. Reduce the neck angle when looking between the keyboard and monitor.
Mouse: The elbow should remain bent when reaching for the mouse. The mouse should be located in the primary area. Your forearm should rest on the desk when you hand is on the mouse. It should glide over the desk when using the mouse. Train yourself to use a mouse with either hand. Learn keyboard short cuts for frequent mouse activities and reduced the use of the mouse When mainly using the mouse, locate it directly in front of you and use your other hand for minor keyboard corrections. Do not continue to grip the mouse, when it is not in use. Do not hover your hand over the mouse, rest it on the mouse or desk. Telephone: Consider locating the telephone on your non-dominate side of the computer. However do not reach across your body to answer the phone to use your non-dominant hand. If it is frequently used, locate it in the primary reach area. If you have frequent or prolonged calls, consider using a headset when accessing computer data. DO NOT cradle the phone between your shoulder and your ear.

YOUR WORKSTATION - THE COMPUTER SCREEN
The computer screen The screen should be positioned once the chair and desk heights have been established. Height The screen should be positioned so that the top of the screen is level with, or slightly lower than, your eyes when you are sitting upright. Either raise or lower the screen to achieve the desired height. Distance from the eye The monitor should be at least a full arms length away from your seated position.
NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS Laptop computers are increasingly being used in place of a desktop computer. Laptops were designed for short term or mobile use. This can result in the work height being unsuitable plus as a general rule the keyboards are not designed for long-term use. If you are regularly using a laptop computer the screen should be raised to the correct height, as detailed above, and a standard keyboard utilized in place of the laptop keyboard.
CLUTTER Power leads, boxes and files rubbish bins and general clutter stored underneath your desk decrease or interferes with space required for your legs. This may force you to adopt a twisted or an awkward posture of the spine.
REST AND EXERCISE FOR THE FIT & UNFIT Our bodies are not designed to sit in one position for extended periods, even with a correctly designed workstation. If we were, we would've been born with casters on our feet and cushions permanently attached to the appropriate part of our body. Rest and Exercise Breaks If appropriate, rest pauses should be taken prior to the onset of fatigue (every 20-30 minutes if a change of activity is not imminent). Exercise breaks may be necessary where task variety is not available and restricted postures are prolonged. The aim is to provide dynamic movement when static postures are maintained.